The Impact of Class, and Ethnicity on Austrian Contemporary Health Care and the Nurses Role - Literature review Example

Running head: HEALTH CARE AND SOCIETY The Impact and Ethni on Australian Contemporary Health Care and the Nurse’s Role You’re University Abstract This research focuses in on the impact that social status and ethnicity has in regards to what type of health care individuals can expect to receive in the country of Australia. Through the many academic literary materials that were utilized it was found that Australia has always been a country with a heavy focus on ethnicity and has not always been all to welcoming of other nationalities entering into its borders. This idea is included in this researched literature to show why there are adversities faced by specific ethnicities in regards to the health care that is received by those of different cultural backgrounds and social classes. In conclusion this research points out that although there are theories that try and find ways to avoid these two characteristics of individuals from affecting health care, there are still unavoidable adversities for those who are of a different ethnic background other than an Austrian descent, as well as for those who are of a lower social status. Health care reforms are currently underway, as the conclusive evidence shows but there are still many miles left to travel for health care to be equal to all of those in the society of Australia. The Impact of Class, and Ethnicity on Austrian Contemporary Health Care and the Nurse’s Role All relevant literature on health care and society has had an explicit focus on ethnicity and status of individuals in various community settings. In fact these very two characteristics have often had the control of what type of health care an individual can expect to receive. More often than not those from a lower societal status very rarely receive the type of care that they should when compared to individuals with a more influential and higher societal standing. Though this is of course is not fair it has been a historic problem for decades. This is specifically true in Australia where the idea of ethnicity and class is held in a very high regard. Nevertheless, Austrian policy makers have been working excruciatingly hard to try and bring a reform to the health care in the country that will show equality for all people regardless of gender, age, sex, ethnicity, origin, religious beliefs, political views, and other societal differences (Griffith 1999, p.1). Beginning in 1999, there have been major moves to incorporate new strategies in the health care policy which have been focused heavily on ensuring the health of the elderly is maintained at an appropriate and acceptable level from a societal standpoint. This is due to the fact that history shows that many elderly people in the country of Australia have been discluded or forgotten about in past times, and in a sociopolitical context this is far from equal or fair to their role in society (Griffith 1999, p.1). These various changes are suppose to make a great difference in the social position of the elderly in regards to the forms of health care that they will begin receiving. However, the availability of health care for some individuals is severely impacted in Australia, (specifically with the elderly) and this is regardless to whatever transformations are occurring. A lot of this is due to the cost of health care in the country and therefore those from lower classes (and older people) simply can’t afford to go to the doctor or hospital for treatment which has led to a growing “string of dissatisfactions” among those in society who feel that they are not being treated equally to others (Stelzer 1994, p.1). Though it is found that Australia uses a Universal health care system, the way it is paid for is through the taxation of the people. Many citizens can not afford these types of taxes and suffer for it. When lower class is mentioned, this does not necessarily imply a poverty stricken people but simply implies to the normal working class of people. The citizens of Australia don’t feel the health care is equal because some people don’t or can’t work and therefore pay no taxes and the way the system is set up is it validates the employment of individuals to see if they are indeed paying taxes for healthcare. For those that aren’t, it is perceived their care is kept to a minimal degree (White 1995, p.1). For example, people who have more money can pay for extra amenities towards their healthcare while others who are simply struggling to make it month to month can’t afford these luxuries, especially the elderly in particular. Therefore it is factually validated that many of the health care professionals in Australia do cater their services to those who have more money because they can afford private insurance and the luxury of private hospitalization as well (White 1995, p.1). Nevertheless, it is found that despite the evidence there is a lack of quality in health care for many of the citizens in Australia, some state that the majority of quality physicians and specialists stay in the main framework of the health care regimen, therefore entitling all citizens to equal care with good quality. This view is grossly misinterpreted however because there are obvious discrepancies in relation to health care, social status and especially ethnicity, from the perspective of those in society. White’s study (1993, p.1) shows that there is a major difference between race relations and social class with relation to health care in Australia so this proves the point that is being made. Ethnicity and social status definitely impact the quality and amenities that are intertwined within the health care policy of Australia. For example, with regard to the status of the elderly, their health care increases the costs of the system. This of course is due to the complications that can arise in providing them adequate services. However, simply because of this fact is no reason to minimize their care simply because they are elderly as the health procedures in Australia are showing telltale signs of doing (White 1993, p.1). Many state that this is due to a poor misunderstanding of multicultural identities within the country. Because health care professionals don’t have the means to properly communicate to some of these other nationalities the health care is considered to be poor and of ill quality for them as well as being slightly discriminatory also (Butler et al 1999, p.1). On the flip side professionals in the medical field state that if there was more community effort to bring an understanding of cultures to those who are providing medical care then this problem wouldn’t exist and the idea of racist care would be vanquished from the minds of many ethnicities. However, the history speaks for itself as Australia has always had some form of white imperialism in the country and therefore there have existed a number of racist issues for decades (Butler et al 1999, p.1). Nevertheless, regardless of the opposing views, professionals still state that community participation has the power to change these mindsets. Community participation has the ability to bring services to those who would ordinarily never receive appropriate medical care despite the fact that Australia is set up on a Universal health care plan (Butler et al 1999, p.1). Furthermore, this type of action could allow for essential language barriers to be broken down, better implementations and strategies for increasing health awareness to poorer classes and other ethnic groups, and better health service planning so that all people could receive treatment no matter what geographic area that they reside in. However, regardless of health professionals’ efforts such as nurses, the attempt to raise this form of participation within the communities has been proven to be almost futile (Burke et al 1999, p.1). Perhaps a large percentage of the problem is what the large percentile of immigrants in the country of Australia remember in regards to the initial treatment that they were given years ago. As was stated, ideas of racism and discrimination go back decades ago within the country (Tazreiter 2002, p.1). Immigrants have often been held for very long periods of time in separated areas of Australia in order to ensure they have no contagious diseases or other adverse ailments that could be passed to the natural born citizens in the country. To many these past issues are severe forms of violations of human rights and therefore there is a huge trust issue that other ethnicities (such as immigrants) have in regards to what form of health care they can expect and how they will be placed in a societal light as well (Tazreiter 2002, p.1). Also, the Australian governing bodies have tried to refute this type of ill treatment saying that they were only trying to protect their own sovereignty and that the cost to health care due to the health problems (especially mental health) of these immigrants severely impacted their health care services. For example, the cost of caring for many of the immigrants due to their health adversities such as, “depression, sleeplessness, psychotic episodes, self harm, and even suicide attempts” was extremely draining emotionally and mentally for health care providers as well as the expense having been intense as well (Tazreiter 2002, p.1). Also there existed a high level of physical symptoms that required medical treatment with these being, “stomach upset, dizziness, body numbness, digestive disorders, and other competency problems,” therefore creating an excruciating strain on the health care system. Regardless of these posed adversities, the Australian health care professionals are supposed to be dedicated to providing humane treatment to all ethnicities but in this regard it can be seen that there have been discriminatory issues in the past and therefore feelings of trust and anger hang in the balance of those in society who recall these various instances of mistreatment. This of course has posed serious health problems for those of different ethnicities because they don’t trust the health care system and therefore don’t seek adequate treatment or when they do they don’t feel they are being treated appropriately (Tazreiter 2002, p.1). Not only is it the idea of ethnicity that is creating a barrier to proper health care services but it is the social classes, genders, and many other socioeconomic differences that seem to put putting up a roadblock to ensuring adequate health care for all people in the country of Australia and even elsewhere around the globe (Byrd & Clayton 2003, p.455). In conclusion issues with social status and ethnicity have had some nurses and other health care professionals speaking out or making movements on their own to help other classes of people feel equal in regards to their health care. It is these very issues that cause heartache on the health care system as though it does have good qualities, these types of views severely impact it and affect many health professionals roles, especially the role of the nurse. Therefore, the policy should work hard to guarantee that treatment will be given to all people regardless of their social status, age, gender, ethnicity, national origin, or any religious or political views as well. Once this is implemented and people begin to feel more secure and trusting of the health care then there should be an equal balance develop between people’s health in society and how they are treated and within the body of the health care system as well. References Butler, Catherine & Khavarpour, Freidoon & Rissel, Christopher. (1999). The Context for Community Participation in Health Action in Australia. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 34, 1. Byrd, Michael & Clayton, Linda. Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care. Washington, National Academy of Sciences Publications(2003): 427-455. Griffith, Ben. (1999). Competition and Containment in Health Care. New Left Review, a, 1. Stelzer, Irwin. (1994). What Health Care Crisis? Commentary, 97, 1. Tazreiter, Claudia. (2002). History, Memory, and the Stranger in the Practice of Detention in Australia. Journal of Australian Studies, 1. White, Joseph. (1995). Health Care Reform the International Way. Issues in Science and Technology, 12, 1. White, Joseph. (1993). Health Reform here and Abroad. Brookings Review, 11, 1. Read More